ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Cabinet
Cabinet condoles the sad demise of Shri Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India
Two minutes silence observed in the memory of Shri Pranab Mukherjee
The Union Cabinet condoled the sad demise of Shri Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India.
Cabinet also observed silence for two minutes in the memory of Shri Pranab Mukherjee.
The Cabinet today passed the following resolution:
“The Cabinet expresses profound sorrow at the sad demise of Shri Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India.
In his passing away, the country has lost a distinguished leader and an outstanding parliamentarian.
Shri Pranab Mukherjee, 13th President of India was a man of unparalleled experience in governance who served as Union Foreign, Defence, Commerce and Finance Minister.
Born on December 11, 1935 in the small village of Mirati in Birbhum District of West Bengal, Shri Mukherjee acquired a Master’s degree in History and Political Science as well as a degree in Law from the University of Kolkata. He then embarked on his professional life as a college teacher and journalist. Inspired by his father’s contribution to the national movement, Shri Mukherjee started his full time public life following his election to Rajya Sabha in 1969.
Shri Mukherjee served as Deputy Minister, Industry; Shipping and Transport, Steel and Industry and Minister of State for Finance during 1973-75. He assumed office as Finance Minister of India for the first time in 1982 and was Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha from 1980 to 1985. He became Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission from 1991 to 1996; concurrently Minister for Commerce from 1993 to 1995 and Minister of External Affairs from 1995 to 1996; Minister of Defence from 2004 to 2006. He again served as Minister of External Affairs from 2006 to 2009 and Minister of Finance from 2009 to 2012. He was Leader of House in Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2012.
Shri Pranab Mukherjee assumed office of the President of India on July 25, 2012 and served his full term of five years. As President, Shri Mukherjee lent dignity to the high office and brought to bear his scholarly and humanitarian outlook on national and international affairs.
A prolific reader, Shri Mukherjee has authored several books on the Indian Economy and on Nation Building. The many awards and honours conferred on him include the Best Parliamentarian Award in 1997, Padma Vibhusan in 2008 and India’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna in 2019.
Shri Mukherjee has left his imprint on our national life. In his death the country has lost a distinguished national leader, accomplished Parliamentarian and a tall statesman.
The Cabinet records its deep appreciation of the services of Shri Pranab Mukherjee to the nation and extends its heartfelt condolences to the members of his bereaved family on behalf of the Government and the entire nation.”
Ministry of Mines
Mines Ministry Attaches Special Focus on Exploration and Production of Fertilizer and Strategic Minerals
Handed over Cumulatively 152 Potential Mineral Block Reports To State Governments This Year
As part of unlocking India’s vast mineral potential by exploration, this year the Ministry of Mines has handed over, 152 mineral block reports to different State Governments so far. 52 potential G-4 mineral blocks approved by the Geological Survey of India  have been handed over to 15 State Governments yesterday in New Delhi during the national conclave on Mines and Minerals by Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi.
The States those received the mineral block reports include Madhya Pradesh , Chattisgarh , Karnataka , Maharashtra , Odisha , Rajasthan , Jharkhand , Gujarat , Tamil Nadu , Telangana , Bihar , Assam , Arunachal Pradesh , Andhra Pradesh  and Himachal Pradesh . The mineral potential identified by GSI includes ferrous group of minerals, precious metals & minerals, non-ferrous & strategic minerals, industrial & fertilizer minerals.
The G-4 stage blocks are governed by the results of reconnaissance survey and supporting the mineral industry for development of bulk minerals, strategic and critical minerals, noble metals for overall participation by the stake holders. Special focus was given for bringing out potash and phosphorite blocks for exploration and production of fertilizer minerals to support the agrarian economy of the country.
Earlier in September this year, 100 potential mineral block reports have been handed over to different State Governments by the Ministry of Mines. Mineral mining paves the way for rapid industrialization and facilitates fast-paced infrastructural development. A sustainable mineral mining sector is needed to make India a five trillion dollar economy. To build a competitive and thriving mining sector, the Centre has undertaken several innovative reforms during the last seven years.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update - Day 348
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 143.75 crore
More than 57 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 143.75 Crore  today. More than 57 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10387310
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
9700959
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18385317
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
16874344
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
497420986
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
326369107
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
194046112
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
148911378
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
121128863
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
94290235
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
841368588
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
596146023
|
|
Total
|
|
1437514611
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Date: 29th December, 2021 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
102
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
6239
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
89
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10941
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
953372
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
3140482
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
216793
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
820924
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
123314
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
431154
|
|
1st Dose Administered in Total
|
|
1293670
|
|
2nd Dose Administered in Total
|
|
4409740
|
|
Total
|
|
5703410
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Ministry of Law and Justice
Press Communique
In exercise of the power conferred by clause  of Article 217 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint S/Shri Justices  Abdul Rahim Musaliar Badharudeen,  Viju Abraham and  Mohammed Nias Chovvakkaran Puthiyapurayil, Additional Judges of the Kerala High Court to be Judges of the Kerala High Court with effect from the date they assume charge of their respective offices..
(Visitor Counter : 845
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts searches in West Bengal
The Income Tax Department carried out a search and seizure operation on 17.09.2021 on a prominent group engaged in manufacturing of steel products. 25 premises consisting of 8 residences, 9 offices and 8 factories, spread over Kolkata, Durgapur, Asansol and Purulia and other regions of West Bengal were covered in the operation.
The search operation has led to the detection of huge quantity of incriminating documents and digital evidence from different premises. Evidences pertain to generation of unaccounted income by the group by way of unaccounted cash sales, unaccounted cash expenditure, purchase from bogus parties, under-reporting of actual production, cash purchases of scrap, several documents of land purchases and sale etc. Evidence has also been found pertaining to the utilisation of the unaccounted income in the form of unsecured loans and sale of shares of shell entities though layering of the unaccounted income. A large number of property documents pertaining to one of the members of the group, showing land and property holding in different names, have also been seized. The total amount of such incriminating evidences pertaining to the manufacturing group exceeds Rs. 700 crore. The operation has led to seizure of unaccounted cash amounting to Rs.20 lakh while 2 lockers remain to be operated.
During the search operation, an accommodation entry provider, who was providing entries to the searched group, was also covered. From his secret back office, huge number of incriminating documents pertaining to providing accommodation entries through modes like sale of shares of shell companies, unsecured loans from shell entities, bogus billing, etc. have been found, the total amount of which runs into several hundreds of crores of rupees. Evidence of more than 200 companies/entities having more than 200 bank accounts being managed from the entry operator’s premises have been found. On the basis of preliminary examination of these documents, it appears that these bank accounts and entities have been used as conduit to route the unaccounted income of many beneficiaries.
Further investigations are in progress.
Ministry of Education
The 3-day NATIONAL YOGA OLYMPIAD-2018 organized by NCERT begins in New Delhi today
A 3-day National Yoga Olympiad was inaugurated at the National Council of Educational Research and Training in CIET in New Delhi today by Mr. Eric Falt, Director and UNESCO Representative of the New Delhi Cluster Office for India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
This is the third consecutive year of National Yoga Olympiad of NCERT and this year about 500 students from 26 States and 4 RIEs are participating in the Olympiad as compared to the participation of students from 25 States/UTs last year.
In his welcome address, Professor Hrushikesh Senapaty, Director, NCERT brought to the attention that the Olympiad creates awareness about a scientific and holistic way of living and the purpose is to create positive attitude among all human beings and promote peaceful living in the society. He quoted the Prime Minister, Shri Narender Modi, “It is our responsibility to ensure that right spirit of yoga is conveyed to everyone”. It is in this backdrop that the Olympiad is organized to create a sense of unity and understanding among children, who have travelled from different parts of the country – both from rural and urban areas.
Professor Saroj Yadav Dean, NCERT narrating the journey of Yoga Olympiad highlighted the importance of yoga in the development of physical, mental and spiritual health. She elaborated about the objectives, target group, yogic practices included and the criteria for judging. She stressed that Yoga Olympiad is an instrument to generate awareness about yoga among children and building team spirit and confidence.
After witnessing a mesmerizing yoga performance by young students from Government Girls school from Rewari, Haryana and Students from Girls School of Kerala, the Chief Guest, Mr. Eric Falt, thanked the NCERT for the opportunity to see such a performance.
Two books – Joy of Theatre and Sangeet— training packages were released on the occasion.
Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation
Swachh Bharat Mission to celebrate World Toilet Day tomorrow with nationwide activities
The Swachh Bharat Mission  will celebrate the World Toilet Day tomorrow with mass awareness and mobilization activities across States and districts. The focus is on usage of toilets, which is closely linked to the Prime Minister’s call for a Swachh Bharat by October 2019.
The central part of the day’s celebrations is the the Swachh Bharat World Toilet Day Contest 2018 among all districts by organizing grassroots activities involving district, block and panchayat level teams, swachhagrahis and swachhata champions. The objective is to engage with communities and reaffirm the national resolve to a sustain the Sanitation achievement. States and districts are working on a competitive mode since 9th November with a range of innovative activities centred around Toilets and Swachhata creating unprecedented momentum in the country which is expected to culminate with mega initiatives tomorrow.
Since the inception of the Swachh Bharat Mission, the rural sanitation coverage of India has increased significantly, from 39% in October 2014 to over 96% today. Over 8.8 crore household toilets have been built by rural Indians. As a result, 25 States/Union Territories, 530 districts, and over 5.2 lakh villages have declared themselves free from open defecation. The number of people practicing open defecation in rural India has gone down from 550 million in 2014, to less than 100 million today through the progress made under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
In recognition to the work done by the Swachh Bharat Mission , the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, is receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the World Toilet Summit in Mumbai tomorrow.
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Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Review of e-NAM
Government of India through CCS National Institute of Agricultural Marketing , an autonomous organization of Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare, has carried out the assessment of the National Agriculture Market  scheme, with report titled Performance Evaluation of e-National Agriculture Market” . It was mentioned in the report that as on 14th May, 2020, farmers have transacted over Rs 1 Lakh crore on the e-NAM platform with a trade volume of 3.43 crore tones of commodities and 38.16 Lakh bamboo and coconuts. Further, as per the report, significant number of farmers opined prompt payment of sales proceeds through e-NAM.
e-NAM transactions can be settled through different available modes of payment outside e-NAM such as through cash payment, cheque payment, Real Time Gross Settlement / National Electronic Funds Transfer , Debit Card, Internet Banking etc. in addition to that through e-payment facility available through e-NAM. While e-payment facility in e-NAM enables sale proceeds in e-NAM to be directly transferred from buyers account to the bank account of the farmers in a transparent, speedy and safe manner, it is not mandatory. So far, Rs 1047 crore has been paid through e-payment facility in e-NAM.
Following are some of the major steps taken by the Government to strengthen the e-NAM platform to improve farmers’ income:-
- Integration of additional 415 mandis with e-NAM, taking the total number of mandis to 1000 across 18 states and 3 UTs, thus bringing more markets access to farmers to sell their agriculture produce.
- FPO trading module has been launched whereby FPOs can trade their produce from their collection center/ premise without bringing the produce to APMC.
- Warehouse based trading module is provided in e-NAM to facilitate trade from warehouses based on e-NWR
- Further the e-NAM platform is made inter operable with Rashtriya e Market Services Private Limited  platform of Government of Karnataka which will facilitate famers of either platforms were can sell their produce in other platform thereby increasing their market access.
- GPS Based e-NAM Mandi Locator: Farmers / Sellers can locate their nearby e-NAM mandi using GPS based mandi locator feature through e-NAM mobile app. This will helps the farmers to easily locate and reach the selected mandis and sell their agri-produce.
- Integration with AGMARKNET platform: Farmer can access the prevailing commodity prices & arrival information of e-NAM mandi as well as non e-NAM mandi on e-NAM mobile app. prior to even going to the mandi.
- e-NAM portal is available in English and 11 Indian languages  to facilitate farmers to use e-NAM in the language of their choice.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
Telephone Conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dr. Lotay Tshering, Prime Minister of Bhutan
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation today with the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Lyonchhen Dr. Lotay Tshering.
The Bhutan Prime Minister expressed solidarity with the Government and the people of India in their efforts against the recent wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister conveyed his sincere thanks to the people and Government of Bhutan for their good wishes and support.
He also appreciated the leadership of His Majesty the King in managing Bhutan's fight against the pandemic, and extended his best wishes to Lyonchhen for the continuing efforts.
The leaders noted that the present crisis situation has served to further highlight the special friendship between India and Bhutan, anchored in mutual understanding and respect, shared cultural heritage, and strong people to people links.
Ministry of Education
Union HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ inaugurates 65th National School Games of SGFI in New Delhi
 of 65th National School Games organised by School Games Federation of India  at R.K. Khanna Stadium in New Delhi today. A total number of 232 qualified Tennis Players have gathered in Delhi selected from 23 states for the National Level competition here. These players will compete in different categories for the next four days till 28th December.
Speaking on the occasion Union HRD Minister congratulated all the players selected for the National Levels and expressed his great satisfaction to see that out of 232 Tennis Players 113 are Girls, which justifies the message of ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’. He said that It is a matter of pride for us to see so many girls in this event. Shri Nishank also wished that these players may also win Gold Medals for India at International Level. Talking about ‘Fit India’ campaign the Minister said that Sports are the most appropriate medium to stay fit. If one dedicates oneself to personal fitness, India will automatically become a Fit Country. Shri Nishank also appreciated the efforts of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan for organizing this event.
Welcoming all the guests and the players, Commissioner, KVS Sh. Santosh Kumar Mall said that a fit body has a positive impact on the brain, resulting in good results in academics. He extended his best wishes to all the Players participating in this event.
Director, DLTA Sh. Ranvir Singh Chauhan was also present during the Inaugural Ceremony. Additional Commissioner , KVS Sh. U.N. Khaware presented the vote of thanks.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Scheme for Intellectual Property  protection revised to upgrade the professional charges of the facilitators
Patent applications filed by Startups increases from 179 in 2016-17 to 1500 in 2021-22; Trade Mark applications filed by Startups increases from 4 in 2016-17 to 8649 in 2021-22
To protect and promote Intellectual Property Rights  of Startups and to encourage innovation and creativity among them, Government of India had launched a Scheme for facilitating Start-Ups Intellectual Property Protection  in 2016. The scheme facilitated startups in filing and processing of their patent, design or trademark application through the assistance of IP Facilitators, whose fee was borne by the Office of the Controller General of Patents Designs and Trademarks, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Government of India. After its successful implementation resulting in a significant increase in IP fillings by Startups the Scheme was extended for a period of three years till 31st March 2023.
To further encourage the IP facilitators to provide quality services to Startups in order to increase the number of IP Applications filed by startups, the scheme has now been revised and facilitation fees has been notably increased by at least 100%. The revised scheme is applicable from 02 November 2022 and revised fees structure vis-à-vis the old scheme is as under:
|
|
Stage of Payment
|
|
Patents
|
|
Trademarks
|
|
Designs
|
|
FEE 
|
|
2016
|
|
2022
|
|
2016
|
|
2022
|
|
2016
|
|
2022
|
|
At the time of filing of Application
|
|
10,000
|
|
15,000
|
|
2,000
|
|
3,000
|
|
2,000
|
|
3,000
|
|
At the time of final disposal of Applications
|
|
Without Opposition
|
|
10,000
|
|
25,000
|
|
2,000
|
|
5000
|
|
2,000
|
|
5,000
|
|
With Opposition
|
|
15,000
|
|
35,000
|
|
4,000
|
|
10000
|
|
4,000
|
|
10,000
In addition to above scheme, IP filling by startups are also encouraged by providing with fee rebates under respective IP legislations. Startups are provided 80% fee rebate in filing patent applications and 50% fee rebate in filling trademark application. In addition, there are also provisions for fast-track examination of patent applications.
Resultantly, there has been a significant increase in IP activities by Startups in last 6 years:
- Patent applications filed by Startups have increased from 179 in 2016-17 to 1500 in 2021-22;
- Trade Mark applications filed by Startups have increased from 4 in 2016-17 to 8649 in 2021-22;
- From 2016-17 to October 2022, 7430 patent applications and 28749 Trade mark applications have been filed by Startups.
As on 30 September 2022, INR 380.81 Lakhs have been disbursed as fees to the facilitators assisting the Startups in IP fillings. The revised fee structure will further augment the filing of IP applications by the Startups through the assistance of IP facilitators offering effective and quality service.
Ministry of Coal
Import of Coal
The all India coal production in the year 2021-2022 was 778.19 Million Tonne  in comparison to 716.08 MT in the year 2020-2021 with a growth of about 8.67%. Further, in the financial year 2022-2023  the country has produced about 785.24 MT of coal as compared to about 681.98 MT during the same period of last year with a growth of about 15.14%.
The steps taken by the Government to make the country self-sufficient in the production of coal and reduce its imports are as under:
- Regular reviews by Ministry of Coal to expedite the development of coal blocks.
- Enactment of Mines and Minerals  Amendment Act, 2021 for enabling captive mines owners  to sell up to 50% of their annual mineral  production in the open market after meeting the requirement of the end use plant linked with the mine in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government on payment of such additional amount.
- Single Window Clearance portal for the coal sector to speed up the operationalization of coal mines.
- Project Monitoring Unit for handholding of coal block allottees for obtaining various approvals / clearances for early operationalization of coal mines.
- Commercial auction of coal blocks on revenue sharing basis. Under commercial mining scheme, rebate of 50 % on final offer would be allowed for the quantity of coal produced earlier than scheduled date of production. Also, incentives on coal gasification or liquefaction  have been granted.
- Coal India Limited is adopting Mass Production Technologies  in its Underground  mines, mainly Continuous Miners , wherever feasible. Coal India Limited has also envisaged working large numbers of Highwalls  mines in view of the availability of Abandoned / Discontinued mines. Coal India Limited is also planning large capacity UG mines wherever feasible.
- In its Opencast  mines, Coal India Limited already has State-of-the-Art technology in its high capacity Excavators, Dumpers and Surface Miners. Digitization is being tried on pilot scale in 7 of its mega mines and shall be replicated further.
- SCCL is expediting the activities to ground new 8 mines .
This information was given by the Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.